NOVEMBER 9, 2009

KING'S MEN'S SOCCER PLACES THREE ON ALL-FREEDOM CONFERENCE SQUAD

ANNVILLE -- A trio of King's College men's soccer players have been selected to the 2009 All-Freedom Conference squad, the Middle Atlantic Conference announced Monday afternoon.

Sophomore midfielder Joey Bender (Shirley, NY/William Floyd) and freshman forward Greg DeMaio (Old Bridge, NJ/St. Joseph Metuchen) were named to the all-conference first-team while senior back Brian McElroy (Dresher/Upper Dublin) was a second-team choice.

The threesome led King's an 11-7-1 record and a berth in the 2009 Freedom Conference playoffs. The Monarchs were picked fifth in the Freedom Conference Pre-Season Coaches Poll but finished the year in fourth place.

Bender enjoyed an outstanding year for the Monarchs where he finished second in the Freedom Conference in scoring with 38 points, the third highest single-season total in program history. Bender was second in the conference in goals scored (15) and second in assists (8) while leading the league with six game-winning goals.

DeMaio (left) made a major impact in his rookie season, finishing the year with 14 points on five goals and four assists to rank second in scoring for the Monarchs. He also contributed with two game-winning goals. DeMaio's speed and play on the wing served as the perfect compliment to Bender.

McElroy (right), meanwhile, was the top performer on a Monarch defense that allowed the third fewest goals (21) of any team in the Freedom Conference in 2009 as King's allowed an average of just 1.09 goal per-game, also ranked third in the MAC. Serving as a team captain as a senior, McElroy also chipped in with one assist on the year.

We are happy all three players were recognized by the conference as each was very deserving," King's coach Mark Bassett stated. "They were all very important to the success we achieved and it is fitting they were honored by the conference coaches."